Tokyo fashionistas don't forget about their legs! The hot topic of "specialist legwear shops"
Fashion that makes good use of legwear has become popular in Japan. In the past few years, tights and stockings with unique designs have been a topic everyone’s talking about. We will introduce specialist shops frequented by girls in Tokyo. This legwear is high quality and made in Japan, so you can’t go wrong! You could even buy it as a gift.
(Top image: Tabio KITTE)
The shop that starting the boom!
Unique fashion shop “AVANTGARDE”
Most of the products are originals. The shop is particular about the material and stitching of their items, and seeks products that fit and emulate real skin. Prices start at 980 yen, and “volume zone” products are around 2000 yen.
“AVANTGARDE” is the shop that started the current patterned stocking boom. It started in 2009 as an online store, and after that, it opened as a real store. It rapidly developed to the point that now it’s a famous spot in Harajuku that’s even visited by tourists! We asked the store manager about the shop’s popularity.
“Now you can see tattoo patterns at lots of shops, but at the time, it was a really fresh idea. People who are sensitive to trends, such as those in the model and fashion industry, took a liking to it, and it spread through word of mouth. It’s to the point that last year, in 2012, lots of our items sold out.”
Now they have about 250 pieces of legwear at AVANTGARDE. They have a rich selection of items featuring collaborations with famous characters, too. If you come to Harajuku looking for the latest fashion, don’t forget to check out this shop!
AVANTGARDE Collection
These are designs by CHOCOMOO, an illustrator who’s being noticed, even overseas!
There are also lots of full-patterned tights. One of these items can get your coordination noticed!
There are also designs to get you excited about spring. We also recommend showing these from the hem of cropped pants.
HELLO KITTY Collaboration Items
In total, there are 20 variations of HELLO KITTY designs, which were started in December of 2012.
Striped designs, which have a presence to them, can go with casual fashion, and punkish unique fashion as well!
If you want to wear a girly design, try this HELLO KITTY item. White is a hot color for this spring!
Disney Collaboration Items
In addition to Mickey Mouse, Disney collaboration items are available for “101 Dalmatians,” “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs,” and more!
Match up the left and right designs to complete the picture! Use tights if you’re going for cute fashion, and stockings if you want fashion that goes with mature clothing.
Create your own, original coordination by wearing tights and stockings together, like in the picture. By the way, this is the shop entrance. It’s underground, so don’t overlook it!
AVANTGARDE HARAJUKU
Fujiwara Building B1F, 3-22-7 Jingumae,Harajuku-ku, Tokyo Phone:03-6804-3739 Shop Hours:11AM-8PM
http://www.avantgardejapan.com
The company store of an established maker
“Fukuske Collage,” rich in elegant fashion
The price of stockings spans from the 1,000 yen range to the 4,000 yen range. The shop carries a large selection of items, from functional legwear to items with fashionable designs.
“Fukusuke” is an established legwear maker with about 130 years of history. Currently, in addition to “tabi,” which match with Japanese clothing, they produce high-quality, stylish legwear! The company store “Fukusuke Collage,” located in the “Marunouchi Building” in an office district, receives patronage from working women with a high sense of fashion.
Learn about this season’s fashion items from a shop that understands them precisely because it carries so many kinds of legwear.
Hot Items for Spring & Summer
Pale-colored stockings are top sellers! They can take even basic fashion and raise its trendiness.
In hot seasons, fishnet tights are recommended, too! Besides the standard black, dull colors are also easy to coordinate.
These elegant designs are great for parties! For spring and summer, pale colors with sparkles, such as the item in the center, are recommended!
This is the Disney Princess Collection. In the front is a design based on “Beauty & the Beast,” and in the back is one based on “Cinderella.” They are popular for being cute designs that adults can wear.
These are collaboration items with fashion brand “Ne-Net Nya.” In particular, the tights are super popular!
These socks are a collaboration with Japanese lifestyle brand “Gredecana.” The vivid colors are a great choice for this season.
Fukuske Collage Marunouchi Building Shop
3F Marunouchi Building 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-6273-4166 Shop Hours:Mondays-Saturdays 11AM-9PM, Sundays & Holidays: 11AM-8PM
http://www.fukuske.com
http://www.marunouchi.com/marubiru
This is the place for socks!
Stylish shop “Tabio”
The concept of “KITTE” is “FeelJAPAN”! Inside the shop are bamboo, gravel, and tatami elements to give a Japanese feel. Also, the view outside the window in the top image is the Tokyo Station building. Both the view and the interior have the feel of a journey.
“KITTE” is a business building that opened right in front of Tokyo Station this March. The legwear shop “Tabio” is inside of this building. Aside from domestic locations, “Tabio” also has shops in London and Paris. This brand boasts elaborate designs and rich color variation, and we hear that sometimes its items are even used for coordination in fashion collections!
The heel and toe portions of these socks are solidly made, and the store has confidence in their comfort and durability. As for the price, the items mainly span from the 600 yen range to the 1000 yen range, so they’re easy to buy as gifts. If you’re having trouble deciding on a gift from Tokyo, give this shop a look!
Tabio Collection
As sheer tights for this season, the shop recommends pale colors! The secret to their popularity is that you don’t need to choose colors--they match even with office wear!
Try using these socks, made of see-through materials, together with sheer tights.
These socks have a design with two layers at the top. Such chic designs would go great even with fashionable styles.
There is a rich variation of socks for use with pumps, too. They have non-slip portions in the heel so that they don’t bunch up inside your shoes.
For socks used for running, we have items for men, too. They have solid arch support and are notable for preventing your feet from tiring.
There is a great selection of cute designs for men’s socks, too! Having them peek out just a bit from the hem of your pants can add fashion points!
Tabio KITTE Store
KITTE 3F 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Phone: 03-6256-0881 Shop Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, Days before Holidays: 11AM-9PMSundays & Holidays: 11AM-8PM
http://www.tabio.com
http://jptower-kitte.jp
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